Impact of Rumpon (Fish Aggregating Devices)
A researcher and lecturer of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Bogor Agricultural University (FPIK-IPB), Dr. Roza Yusfiandayani said the use of rumpon as a fishing tool will provide advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are saving time, fuel oil (up to 46%), raising the catch (up to 40%) and increasing fishermen income (US $ 10-60 million per boats). But there is a disadvantage: fishing opportunities in a variety of scales, thus causing a decreased stock of fish.
"I agree with the government action that will abolish the rumpons installed by foreign vessels. I absolutely agree if all of the foreigners’ rumpons are destroyed because migratory fish will go there (as they are more strategically located), not into the rumpons of small fishermen." he said.
He said traditional the rumpons of traditional fishermen are still largely of small size. They are much helped by the fish aggregating device as it is efficient at catching fish and saves fuel. Without rumpons, fishermen will seek the fishing area, which requires fuel and more time efficient to go there.
He did a study on the economic feasibility of the installation of rumpons in Kaur waters of Bengkulu. The economic analysis of the fishing by tuna fishermen showed that they got NPV of 74,825,326, Net B / C of 2.77, IRR 76% with the indicator > 14% (bank interest rate in Kaur) and PP 1.24 with the indicator <5 years. Economically, the results suggest that it is fairly feasible for the fishermen to use rumpons.
Moreover, the behavior and characteristics of fish in rumpons can be observed. As we know, rumpons become a place for fish to associate, forage, a navigation reference point for certain fish to migrate, shelter from predators, shelter and a cleaning stations for certain fish.
"With fish gathering at rumpons, it is easy for researchers to observe and monitor the behavior and characteristics of the fish in the ocean," he said
Installation of rumpons certainly has to obey the existing regulations, such as not to disrupt shipping route, not mounted on the sea lanes of Indonesian islands, the distance between rumpons of not less than 10 nautical miles and not installed with the effect of fencing or zigzag. (Mtd)
